Being pulled over by a police officer can be as stressful for the officer as it is for the motorist. Although the majority of people are law-abiding citizens, a police officer must still be overly cautious during all traffic stops. Here are a few tips to follow when being stopped by the police.

Pull off of the road as far to the right as safely possible.

Stay in your vehicle unless asked to get out.

Turn on the interior light if the stop occurs at night.

Keep both hands on the steering wheel and do not make sudden movements.

If you are carrying a firearm, advise the officer of the weapon and its location.

Advise the officer if you need to reach for your license or registration.

If you are being stopped at night and you are driving alone, simply acknowledge the officer by turning on your flashers and driving at a reduced rate of speed to the nearest well lit area.

Following these simple tips will make traffic stop less stressful for everyone involved.

Sunday, 6 April 2008

Remember this especially when we buy lots of ice cream during Baskin & Robbins 31st day offer!!! They normally put dry ice in your ice cream pack if you buy a lot.

A friend bought four packs of ice cream and to prevent it from melting, the seller put the dry ice amongst the ice cream. My friend put it at the back seat (not the back of the car) and he started to drive with the windows closed and the air-conditioner on (as what we all do). Soon after that, he had difficulty breathing and it was getting worse by minutes.

Luckily, he was in a traffic jam and when he almost fainted, beside him was an ambulance. He dragged himself to the ambulance and got the oxygen treatment. He was getting better on the way to the hospital.

The ambulance officer drove his car to the hospital and he had the same experience. However, before his condition worsen, he opened up the window and he can breathe easily. Only later, when my friend returned to office and told his colleagues about his story, they pointed to him that the dry ice was the problem. WHY?

Dry ice was made of CO2 and when it "melts", it becomes CO2 gas immediately without leaving any wet mark (that is why it is called dry ice).

CO2 is easier to be linked up in our blood and thus, when the dry ice sublimes into CO2 gas, it fills the car room with it along with the air con circulation and caused CO2 poisoning. So, don't put the dry ice inside your car if you are using air-conditioner with fully closed windows. You must leave the windows open for such situation.

Hope this will help to prevent any fatality just from a small negligence like this. Imagine if you have your children inside, they might be the victim.

Monday, 31 March 2008

Camping is one of the best ways to relieve stress and clear your head. That's why it's so important to buy a tent that's easy to use and provide worry-free protection.

The first step to getting back to nature is buying a tent you can depend on. A good quality tent must be comfortable, easy to use and provide security for you and your family.

Tents needn't be fancy, or expensive. They can be as simple as small, two-person pup tents, or as extravagant as full-size family models with three rooms and lighting. All that really matters is that the tent is durable and dependable enough to protect you from nature's elements.

Choosing a tent is a task worthy of serious thought, and there are several factors that must be considered before making your final decision. The size and shape of the tent, the weight and the setup must all be taken into account. If you're camping alone, assembly is a very important consideration. Shop at a reliable sporting goods or outdoors store, and ask the sales associate for help in choosing the best tent to meet your requirements.

Remember to consider the transportation of your tent. If you're looking at a big, bulky tent that will take up the entire trunk of your car and leave no room for food and gear, keep shopping.

SizeSize most definitely matters when it comes to choosing a tent. Make sure that there's enough room for you, and your fellow campers. Everyone needs to have space to stretch out and to move around. You may be using air mattresses, so keep that in mind when judging the depth. The tent must be high enough to stand up, or at least sit up. Manufacturers tend to overestimate the number of people that can sleep comfortably in a tent. So, while it is possible to cram four fully-grown adults into a four-person tent, you'll all sleep better in a six-person model. Similarly, a two-person tent might be able to hold two people, but they're clothes and food will have to wait outside.

WeightIf you're headed to a remote location and will be hiking or portaging to camp, you simply can't take along a heavy tent. A large canvas tent has no business going along on a ten-mile hike. You'll also be bringing all of your clothes, gear and food, so the last thing you need is to be weighed down even more by your tent. There are many lightweight models available that provide comfort and security. If, on the other hand, you'll be driving to your campsite in a vehicle that can handle plenty of cargo, then go ahead and pack a big tent.

Fabric FactsLightweight nylon and taffeta and popular materials used by today's tent manufacturers. These fabrics are strong and durable, and able to withstand all types of weather. The most important thing to look for in your tent material is a waterproof certification. Paying a little extra is worth every penny when you're caught in a downpour.

AssemblyBefore you buy the tent, ask to see the assembly instructions. It's also important to try assembling the tent in your backyard before you leave home. Your tent must be easy to assemble using just a few (or no) tools. You're going camping to relax, and there's no point in stressing out with a tent that's hard to assemble.

Whether you're camping for fun at a family campground, or truly roughing it miles from civilization, your tent needs to satisfy your basic need for shelter. Even the heartiest of outdoor enthusiast will agree that getting up close and personal with nature in the wee hours of the morning is no thrill.